Lindy Ruff's leadership of the Buffalo Sabres' turnaround from a difficult start to playoff contention anchors the heavy trader consensus favoring him for the 2025-26 Jack Adams Award. The veteran coach, seeking a second honor two decades after his 2006 win with the same franchise, receives credit for instilling structure and elevating a roster long viewed as underachieving. Jon Cooper's consistent guidance of the Tampa Bay Lightning to another postseason appearance and Dan Muse's roster management with the Pittsburgh Penguins provide the main alternatives, yet lack the same narrative momentum. A shift could occur if broadcasters prioritize sustained excellence or specific team metrics over Buffalo's improvement story when casting final votes.